While there are a couple of games postponed today due to COVID-19, there are still a lot of teams in action!
Find all of our free NHL picks for the scheduled games below!
Chicago Blackhawks @ Florida Panthers – 7:00 PM ET
The Chicago Blackhawks are looking for any kind of spark to get themselves going as they have dropped their first three games of the season, allowing 15 goals total and are at a -10 goal differential.
They have allowed five goals in each of their first three games, including a 5-2 loss to Florida on Sunday. Colin Delia stopped only 24 of 29 shots and has allowed 10 goals on 76 shots this season, a woeful .848 save percentage.
One year ago today, Patrick Kane (@88PKane) scored his 1,000th NHL point at home in front of a roaring @UnitedCenter crowd🥺 #ThatsHockeyBaby pic.twitter.com/pbcPqib0xa
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 19, 2021
After defeating Chicago on Sunday, Florida is now 1-0-0. Jonathan Huberdeau led the way in the victory, scoring a goal and adding two assists in his debut with the Panthers. Patric Hornqvist was making his debut with Florida and made quite the first impression as well, scoring a goal and adding an assist.
NHL Pick – Florida Panthers (-160)
NHL Spread – Florida Panthers -1.5 (+145)
Game Totals Pick – Over 6.5 (+105)
Washington Capitals @ Pittsburgh Penguins – 7:00 PM ET
The Washington Capitals look to extend their consecutive point streak to four when they take on the Pittsburgh Penguins. Washington earned victories in each of their first two games, but suffered a shootdown loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday. Alex Ovechkin scored his first goal of the season and added his third assist in the loss. Washington is 2-0-1 on the road this season.
Sidney Crosby has an extra goal to start the season. Alex Ovechkin is one away from tying #7 on the all-time goal scorers list.
Any bold predictions for tonight’s clash of the titans? pic.twitter.com/BbjdHx4Ka1
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 19, 2021
After dropping their first two games of the season, Pittsburgh finally got in the win column with the shootout victory. They were battered by Philadelphia to start the season, giving up 11 goals through the first two contests but got a solid performance in net by Casey DeSmith in the victory over Washington, stopping 20 of 23 shots. Pittsburgh has now been outscored this season 14-9.
NHL Pick – Pittsburgh Penguins (-135)
NHL Spread – Washington Capitals +1.5 (-200)
Game Totals Pick – Over 6.5 (+105)
Buffalo Sabres @ Philadelphia Flyers – 7:00 PM ET
It is the second game in back-to-back nights between the Buffalo Sabres at the Philadelphia Flyers Tuesday. Buffalo won their first victory with a 6-1 win over Philadelphia. The Sabres had been swept by the Capitals, allowing eight goals.
Buffalo was led by Taylor Hall and Jack Eichel, each of whom recorded three assists. Curtis Lazar and Sam Reinhart each had a pair of goals. The biggest story was Carter Hutton who, after allowing five goals-against Washington to start the season, rebounded with a solid performance, stopping 21 of 22 shots.
AV on sticking with the same skaters prior to tonight’s #BUFvsPHI matchup: “You can make changes to your lineup or you can trust your players and be confident they are going to respond the right way. I’m confident they are going to respond the right way.” pic.twitter.com/PPv5hoMfRW
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) January 19, 2021
The Flyers rolled over Pittsburgh to start the season, outscoring the Penguins 11-5. However, they were stampeded by the Sabres as Carter Hart allowed four goals on 22 shots before being pulled. He had been outstanding to start the season, allowing five goals through the first two games.
NHL Pick – Philadelphia Flyers (-135)
NHL Spread – Philadelphia Flyers -1.5 (+175)
Game Totals Pick – Over 6 (+100)
Winnipeg Jets @ Ottawa Senators – 7:00 PM ET
The Winnipeg Jets have split their first two games of the season, defeating the Calgary Flames last Thursday in overtime before losing to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday. This has them playing in back-to-back nights.
Connor Hellebuyck was in net for each of the first two games, allowing five goals but it is likely that he will not be in net for this contest. Kyle Connor is off to a fast start with two goals and two assists.
G A M E D A Y !
🆚: @Senators
⏰: 6:00 PM CT
📍: Ottawa, ON
📝: https://t.co/xT29oMoTvv
📺: TSN3
📻: 680 CJOB#GoJetsGo pic.twitter.com/qA3P9LxD2Q— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) January 19, 2021
Ottawa gave Toronto all they could handle to start the season, defeating the Maple Leafs on Friday, 5-3, before losing on Saturday, 3-2. Brad Tkachuk and Nikita Zaitsev are tied for the team lead with three points each. Matt Murray has been in net for both games, posting a 3.03 goals-against average and a .905 say percentage.
NHL Pick – Ottawa Senators (-110)
NHL Spread – Winnipeg Jets +1.5 (-270)
Game Totals Pick – Under 6 (-120)
New Jersey Devils @ New York Rangers – 7:00 PM ET
New Jersey lost in a shootout to Boston to start the season, but rebounded with a 2-1 victory over the Bruins on Saturday. Mackenzie Blackwood has been outstanding early on, allowing one goal in the victory over Boston and has a .954 save percentage and a 1.38 goals-against average early on. Scoring has been a struggle for the Devils, but that may be a product of facing Boston early on.
“I told him, “Pass to me. Practice that.’ He didn’t listen to me.”
But we all win. 😂 pic.twitter.com/O5otVCLXEf
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 17, 2021
The Rangers were blanked in their opening contest, but rebounded to shut out the Islanders, 5-0 on Saturday. Artemi Panarin scored two goals to lead New York. Alexander Georgiev was brilliant in his first game of the season, stopping all 23 shots he faced.
NHL Pick – New York Rangers (-150)
NHL Spread – New Jersey Devils +1.5 (-185)
Game Totals Pick – Under 6 (+110)
Dallas Stars @ Tampa Bay Lightning – Postponed
*This game was postponed due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols, a new date has not been confirmed at this time*
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Detroit Red Wings – 7:30 PM ET
Columbus was swept by Nashville to begin the season, but rebounded with a 3-2 victory over Detroit on Monday. Oliver Bjorkstrand led the Blue Jackets with a goal and an assist, recording his first two points of the season.
Alexandre Texier and Michael Del Zotto lead the team with three points each. Joonas Korpisalo (2.03 gaa) has been the better netminder early on, but he will likely be sitting out after playing in Monday night’s contest. That puts Elvis Merzlikins between the pipes, who gave up five goals to Nashville to start the season.
Let’s get that W! 🔑#CBJvsDET x #LGRW pic.twitter.com/txYWkkSVqZ
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 19, 2021
Detroit split their first two games of the season with Carolina before losing to Columbus on Monday. They have been pretty solid defensively, allowing eight total goals through their first three games.
Thomas Greiss was in net for the loss on Monday, likely putting Jonathan Bernier between the pipes on Tuesday. He allowed two goals on 33 shots in the 4-2 victory over Carolina. Bobby Ryan leads the team in scoring with three goals.
NHL Pick – Detroit Red Wings (+155)
NHL Spread – Detroit Red Wings +1.5 (-165)
Game Totals Pick – Under 5.5 (-120)
Carolina Hurricanes @ Nashville Predators – 8:00 PM ET
*This game was postponed due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols, a new date has not been confirmed at this time*
Carolina split their first two games of the season with Detroit, including posting a 3-0 shutout on opening night. They then defeated Nashville on Monday, 4-2. James Reimer was spectacular in net, stopping 31 of the 33 shots he faced.
He will likely not be between the pipes for this contest as Petr Mrazek will get the call. Mrazek has been outstanding, posting a 1.53 goals-against average, including a shutout. Andrei Svechnikov is off to a fast start with three goals and two assists through the first three contests. Carolina has allowed six total goals.
Tonight’s #CARvsNSH game has been postponed. https://t.co/1CllnkuhN6
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) January 19, 2021
Nashville swept Columbus to begin the season, but dropped their first game of the year two Carolina on Monday. They are getting outstanding goaltending as well, allowing seven total goals.
Pekka Rinne was in the net for the Predators on Monday, meaning Juuse Saros will likely go on Tuesday. He has been outstanding early on, posting a 1.50 goals-against average and a .959 save percentage. Filip Forsberg has three goals.
Colorado Avalanche @ Los Angeles Kings – 10:00 PM ET
Colorado split their first two games of the season, falling to St. Louis 4-1 on opening night before blanking the Blues, 8-2 nights later. Nathan MacKinnon scored a goal and added two assists and Cale Makar had three assists in the contest.
Philipp Grubauer was outstanding in net, stopping all 21 shots he faced. He has now started both games, posting a 2.02 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage.
Let’s get it done tonight 💪#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/TAhoBhrKCH
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) January 19, 2021
Los Angeles lost their first two games of the season by identical scores, 4-3, losing both games in overtime to the Minnesota Wild. Jonathan Quick took the loss in both games, yielding four goals in both contests. He has a 3.72 GAA. Jeff Carter leads the team in scoring with a goal and three assists.
NHL Pick – Colorado Avalanche (-240)
NHL Spread – Colorado Avalanche -1.5 (+110)
Game Totals Pick – Over 5.5 (-125)
The 2021 NHL season is here! If you want to catch up with all the latest information, make sure you visit our NHL hub page.
*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of Bet365.
